Authors of Award Winning Originals

I had never told anyone except my husband that I had been a member of the Manson Family cult during those awful years that ended in tragedy. While I did not participate in the senseless murders I was with Manson and the others almost from the beginning and eventually testified against them. When I was going to be exposed through a television documentary I had to tell my family. After my husband of 33 years died, I needed to exorcise my demons and tell the truth of what happened. 

I studied law and journalism with the hope that someday I would have the opportunity to write creative non-fiction and true crime. I had been fascinated with the Manson Family and cult behavior and could not believe my good fortune when Dianne found me through my husband's literary agency. It was an amazing journey and sacred responsibility to take Dianne back to her memories and help her shape a narrative that is authentic, moving, and inspiring. Aside from what I learned in the process, I also gained a lifelong friend. 

Dianne and Deborah began researching and writing Member of the Family in 2016. When the book was given to publishers for consideration, Charles Manson went into the hospital. The research and writing had to be accomplished in 90 days.  The book was released on October 24, 2017 and Charles Manson died on November 20. 2017. It is one of the only insider perspectives of what happened during the two years leading up to the days credited with ending the peace and love days of the sixties.